Throughout India, persons are conscious of a situation during which when somebody has a seizure, they immediately collapse, their physique stiffens, their limbs twitch, and so they hear unfamiliar respiration sounds. Panic spreads immediately, and folks rush in, shouting directions, grabbing arms, prying open mouths, and stabbing outdated keys, items of metallic, and even fabric.
For the individual having a seizure, this can be a second of full vulnerability, when consciousness fades and management is misplaced. As consciousness slowly returns, reminiscences of ache, confusion, damage, and being restrained by a stranger are sometimes recalled. A lot of this struggling shouldn’t be brought on by epilepsy however by harmful first support superstitions which can be deeply ingrained in society.
Epilepsy is a neurological illness. Epileptic seizures are brought on by electrical disturbances within the mind. It is a medical occasion. No pressure, no concern, no crowd management. They want calm, safety, and dignity.
Fable 1: Holding somebody down will forestall damage.
perception: Many individuals imagine that restraining an individual throughout a seizure will forestall them from harming themselves. Legs and arms are immobilized, and the physique is held firmly to the bottom in an try and “management” the state of affairs.
actuality: Seizure actions are involuntary. You possibly can’t cease them by pressure. Restraints typically lead to muscle tears, shoulder dislocations, fractures, and spinal accidents. When an individual regains consciousness after an assault, they get up not solely exhausted, but in addition harm and in ache. Safety means giving area, not controlling your physique. Seizures can’t be managed by exterior forces. That is dangerous and may trigger damage
Fable 2: You must put one thing in your mouth.
perception: There’s a deep-seated concern of “swallowing your tongue.” Because of this, a spoon, fabric, keys or fingers are desperately shoved into the mouth.
actuality: The tongue can’t be swallowed. What can happen is a damaged tooth, jaw damage or choking for the sufferer, or a extreme chew for the caregiver. Tongue biting, though painful to witness, is normally gentle and resolves by itself. By no means put something in your mouth throughout a seizure. Forcing metallic or fabric items could cause oral or dental injury, or in excessive circumstances, suffocation. It’s advisable to show the affected person on his facet so that every one secretions are drained and the danger of suffocation is minimized.
Fable 3: Seizures received’t cease should you don’t take motion.
perception: Most individuals concern that the seizures will proceed indefinitely until somebody intervenes. They imagine they should pour water to cut back shaking or enhance self-control.
actuality: Most seizures final 1 to 2 minutes and cease on their very own. Interference doesn’t scale back the space. What’s actually essential is to fastidiously monitor the time to hunt medical assist if mandatory, corresponding to if the assault lasts greater than 5 minutes or recurs with out decision.
Why are these myths harmful?
Epilepsy stays stigmatized and misunderstood in India. Many households disguise their epilepsy analysis from their family members. First support data is non-existent or very restricted, and myths are handed down with good intentions. However intentions do not forestall accidents. When an individual wakes up after a seizure, they’re typically confused, weak, and deeply embarrassed. Being restrained or panicked provides psychological trauma to the bodily injury and fatigue. Typically the primary casualty is dignity.
What may help? Right seizure first support is straightforward, quiet, and respectful.
keep calm and be with that individual
maintain dangerous objects away
Place one thing tender below your head
time the seizure
don’t limit motion
do not put something in your mouth
As soon as it stops shifting, gently flip it onto its facet and let it relaxation.
Hospitals often deal with accidents not brought on by seizures in epileptic sufferers, however by incorrect first support, corresponding to damaged enamel, dislocated joints, and deep bruises. Households typically really feel responsible and want they’d recognized higher. These accidents are preventable. The fears that trigger them do not must exist.
A name for compassion
Hundreds of thousands of Indians reside with epilepsy. They examine, work, journey and dream like everybody else. Throughout an assault, what’s most wanted is care, not management.
This Worldwide Epilepsy Day, the message about seizure first support must be clear and extensively shared. Altering the notion of seizures is not only a medical duty. It is human.
(Dr. Pradnya Gadgil is a senior marketing consultant in pediatric neurology and scientific director of the advanced epilepsy program at Narayana Well being SRCC Youngsters’s Hospital, Mumbai. Data.Srcc@narayanahealth.org)
issued – February 9, 2026 12:59 PM IST
